Cycling Across America: 2005-07-17

The Big Picture

Sitting in my living room in Southern Pines, there a few generalizations and observations of note.

The trip lasted forty-one days; of which thirty-eight involved riding. Rest days were required to accommodate bicycle repairs, my cold, and - in one case- a lift by car to transit a particularly desolate region in Northern Colorado. Rest days, in retrospect, tended to distract from the rhythm of riding. In some days they are more trouble than they are worth.

I covered a bit more than 2,100 miles, traveling across Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. I dipped my bike in Kansas vice the Mississippi River, but have no regrets over the shortened distance. If I want to complete the entire Trans America route I know where to begin. If, as I expect, I decide not to complete the entire route, than Kansas and Missouri had little to offer. Yest, I was spoiled by the experiences in the mountains.

I tried to spend less than six hours on the move in any one day, and was largely successful. I averaged 56 miles per riding day: my longest ride was 80 miles, and I exceeded 70 miles seven times: I exceeded a metric century on fourteen separate occasions. I imagine these averages would have increased had I continued riding.

There was a significant weight reduction during the course of the trip. I shipped upwards of ten pounds of gear home, including my cold weather gear once I hit Pueblo City and its 103-degree temperatures. I personally lost close to twenty pounds despite muscle build-up in the legs. I packed out about right: next time I will leave all cooking equipment home. I used it to make oatmeal one time.

Attrition: I had to replace brake pads, the rear tire, the rear rim (unexpected), and a set of riding britches(unexpected). My body also took a beating in the form of a severe headcold.

Lost: hat, sunglasses, liquid soap (four times).

Best Eats: Breakfast - Otis Cafe, Otis, Oregon
Lunch - Mimi's Cafe, Half-Way, Oregon.
Dinner - Brew Pub, Baker City, Oregon

Unexpected Disappointment: the quality of food was very uneven, making it difficult, at times, to obtain the 'fuel' I needed to sustain my riding. Too many times the choice was a hamburger or cheeseburger.

Unexpected Benefit: the beautiful vistas that constantly changed as I moved through the Western States.

Best Day: The ride over McKenzie pass and the subsequent thirty mile descent to John Day and Dayville. The vistas continued to change as I traversed one gorge after another.

Worst Day: My third day out when I was neither mentally or physically prepared to ride in the rain. (The ride to Kremmling, with my cold worsening qualifies was a strong runner-up.)

Best Luck: Meeting up with compatible riders to share camp sites and meals, and having a virtually rain-free trip.

Worst Luck: Coming down with a severe cold, which drained my stamina and forced me to refocus my energies and attention away from the ride.

Was it worth the effort and monies expended? I believe it was. I was really tested in fundamental ways - specifically, one must get from one place to the next regardless of weather, illness and the like. Life becomes very basic. where to eat, where to sleep, finding a shower and laundry, keeping a close watch on your bike, and the like. The highs came with completing a difficult assent and the down-hill that follows. The lows were few and far between.

With the bicycle, panniers, sleeping bag and tent paid for, it would be a shame if I didn't do this again. I don't see a one-two month trip in the offing, but I will begin planning a shorter ride. Upstate New York seems interesting as does New Hampshire and Vermont. I do know, now, that I can do it and that I enjoy doing it. I heartily recommend it to others. My thanks especially to Jodi for giving me the encouragement to undertake this venture.